By Diana Goovaerts


4YFN aims to make deep impact

4 Years From Now (4YFN) is set to make a bigger mark on MWC Barcelona than ever before, as the programme doubles its footprint to accommodate massive growth and a packed line up of new offerings.

An estimated 25,000 guests, including 1000 investors, are expected to attend the programme, which is moving from its traditional home in Hall 8 of Fira Montjuic to a new location spread across Halls 1 and 2 of the same venue. This year’s programme is set to include more than 400 speakers presenting across six stages, pitching competitions, 1:1 startup mentoring and more.


Pere Duran, 4YFN event director, called it the “entrepreneurial heart of MWC and a place where startups are nurtured to become unicorns”.


He added: “This generation of tech entrepreneurs has impact written into their DNA. They are questioning the status quo to build a better society and we are helping them to realise that vision.”


Indeed, the programme will do just that this year with 4Impact, a new hub focused on the idea that business and technology can make the world a better place. The hub, which is being offered in partnership with Mobile World Capital and the Social Nest Foundation, will include 4Impact Village, a showcase zone which will connect guests with startups, projects and NGOs that are using technology to improve lives around the world. Additionally, 4Impact will put on a series of talks from the Red Cross and others on a range of topics including climate change, diversity and inclusion, volunteering, impact investing and more.


4YFN will also host a Talent Arena, offered in partnership with Barcelona Digital Talent, which will offer attendees a chance to rub shoulders with recruiters, executives, academics and policy makers from around the world. Speakers will tackle some of the latest industry trends on the arena’s main stage, while a mentoring programme will offer tips for startups to better manage their talent.


But that’s just a glimpse of what’s on at Fira Montjuic.


The venue will also be the home of a new experience called xside, which will offer start-ups, designers, content creators and developers alike an exciting new way to explore technology’s role in the future of creativity. Programming will feature deep dive discussions co-curated by Sónar, as well as live music, immersive technology and interactive art installations, with both daytime and evening events on the schedule.